What is the NOACK Volatility Test?
Volatility, measured by the principal European test called NOACK, is the amount of oil lost (the light molecules) over time at a given temperature and pressure. It has a direct impact on high temperature engine oil effectiveness — especially on viscosity, emissions and oil consumption. Today’s oils have a NOACK volatility limit of 22 percent. Volatility losses for the coming ILSAC GF-3 oils — due on store shelves just after the turn of the century — could quite possibly be limited to 15 percent for all grades. When an oil suffers from high volatility, and the lighter molecules evaporate, the oil thickens gradually getting out of “spec” and adversely effecting the performance of the lubricant and placing the engine at risk. Back to Top I have driven diesels for as long as I’ve been driving. I am still hesitant in using AMSOIL mainly because I don’t understand how an oil can CLEAN (or keep clean) a diesel engine if you don’t change it regularly. Also, the main oil companies claim that
